Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Hagaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef delivered pointed criticism Wednesday of those who opposed a previous effort to pass legislation regulating the status of yeshiva bochurim, suggesting that the current wave of arrests might have been avoided had the law been approved.

“It’s a great shame that the law regulating the status of Yeshiva Bochrim was not passed last month when Likud had already agreed to cooperate,” Rav Yosef said. “We agreed, and others in the chareidi parties opposed it. Maybe that’s why we’re seeing all these arrests.”

While he did not mention any party by name, his remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to Agudas Yisroel, which had opposed earlier versions of the proposed legislation due to concerns over enlistment targets and sanctions.

The comments come amid growing tensions following a series of arrests of yeshiva Bochrim in recent days, as authorities increase enforcement efforts against those who have not resolved their military status.

In previous coalition discussions over a draft law, Shas and Degel HaTorah reportedly expressed willingness to advance legislation that would formalize the status of yeshiva students, while Agudas Yisroel opposed the proposed framework because of provisions relating to quotas and penalties.

Rav Yosef’s remarks also came on the same day that the Knesset advanced a Basic Law on Torah Study in a preliminary vote, a move viewed by some as an alternative approach to addressing the status of bnei yeshiva.

According to Rav Yosef, however, earlier legislation could have prevented the current situation.

Last year, Rav Yosef drew national attention when he publicly instructed yeshiva students to tear up draft notices sent by the military rather than comply with them.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)